Ex prison officer sentenced to 10 weeks in jail

The case was heard at Guernsey Magistrate's Court

A former Guernsey prison officer has been sentenced to 10 weeks in jail after being found guilty of sexually assaulting a woman and "indecent behaviour" to a separate woman.

Jason Francis Tardif, 53, of St Sampson, was sentenced to six weeks in prison for the count of sexual assault and given a further four week prison sentence for indecent behaviour.

Tardif was convicted of sexually assaulting a woman at his home on 14 October 2022, placing his hands on her shoulders and making a sexual comment.

Tardif had also previously been found guilty of "indecent behaviour" after exposing himself to a massage therapist.

'Harsher consequences'

Judge Gary Perry said he took Tardif's "previous good character" into account but reminded the court that he had held a senior role in the community.

Judge Perry acknowledged that "a prison sentence for you as a prison officer will have harsher consequences in terms of serving that sentence than it might have for others".

He added however that "the court must be consistent in the way that it deals with these kind of offences".

Mr Tardif's wife Kerry is Guernsey's Royal Court Chief Probation Officer.

A statement from the Office of the Home Affairs Committee said: "The probation report for this case was produced by Jersey with full independence."

Tardif has appealed his prison sentence and has been bailed.

The next available court date to hear his appeal is not until 17th October.